7-Year-Old Accidentally Shoots, Kills Baby Brother In SoCal

RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CA — A tragic gun accident left a 2-year-old boy dead this week in Rancho Cucamonga, and the District Attorney's Office will review the case.

Just before 4 p.m. Monday, deputies with the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department received a call about the shooting that took place in a retail mall parking lot at 8250 Day Creek Boulevard.

When deputies arrived, they found the gravely wounded toddler. The child was transported to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

During their investigation, deputies determined the victim and his 7-year-old brother were inside a truck when the older sibling found a gun in the glove box, "resulting in the fatal shooting," the sheriff's department said.

It's not clear who was watching the children and whether the firearm was registered and permitted. California prohibits carrying a loaded firearm in a vehicle in most locations. There are exceptions, however, including for people who have a valid concealed weapons license.

Information about the boys' parents was not released.

The sheriff's department said, "A report will be sent to the District Attorney’s Office for review."

The names of the boys were not provided.

Unintentional shootings increase during major holidays, according to the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that in 2023, unintentional injury was the top cause of death among children and adolescents aged 1–17 years, with firearms being a "leading injury method."

"Unintentional firearm injury deaths of children are preventable," the CDC said in its report. "Secured firearm storage practices (e.g., storing firearms locked, unloaded, and separate from ammunition) have been identified as protective factors against child firearm injuries and deaths, underscoring the importance of policymakers, health care professionals (e.g., pediatricians), and others partnering with parents, caregivers, and firearm owners to promote secure firearm storage."